Mad Jens rumour accelerates and Rambo gets his kit on

As mentioned last week Mad Jens is indeed in London and after my exclusive punt of a guess about it the rumours are accelerating towards him being a shoo-in for the job.

I'd like to see him back to be honest. I think his experience and presence would be a great benefit. He's been there and done it and we'll need his experience.

It was great to see Rambo back on the pitch on saturday. He got a good twenty mins and looked pretty sharp. His passing vision hasn't dulled and he looks ready for the battle.

Personally, I think he's a nice lad and its crap seeing bad things happen to good people.

WG.

Sack Wenger? Have you been eating rotten fruit?

Good lord, where do all these doom-mongering, spoilt fans come from?

We do not have a god given right to win every game. We have to compete, which we do. We are second in the league with a game in hand in front of Chelski and Man Citeh with all their millions.

Its not enough to spend money, you have to have a team.

If we win the league all of these 'fans' will be crowing to their mates about how Wenger is a genius winning the league on a shoestring.

Sacking Wenger won't achieve anything except strip our team of all the players who are here because of him and his methods I.e. Walcott, Nasri, Fabregas. They won't want to play for a clogger manager.

We all want instant success, but like instant coffee, its not as good as the real thing.

WG

Am I relieved or disappointed?

I said yesterday that I wasn't bothered about the FA cup. I know its a trophy but if its that or the league its a no brainer.

It was a game we needed to win in terms of confidence and proving our credentials for the title.

But it is fixtures that if we didn't have to play them would provide our players with extra recovery time and that is indispensible in the run-in.

Frankly, I'm pleased we're out. I wanted to beat the scummy Manc's but for now I'll take solace in the fact that they will have to play more games than us!

My phone sang with texts from Manc's crowing at the 2:0 victory. Chants of 'No trophy, no league' echoed off my phone.

My defence, 'text me again in may when we're taking the league trophy for a trip round North London'.

Yesterday proved for me that Diaby cannot play central midfield for us and how much we really miss Song. We need cover for him so badly its crazy. Denilson did ok, but overall I'm disappointed with the lack of quality chances created against a poor Man Utd side.

Roll on tomorrow when I can start thinking about the next game.

*** Blog news *** www.wigangooner.co.uk is live and a new look website is in development. Exciting times!!

WG

Mad Jens to make a return?

Firstly this isn't based on any truth. Arsene has said he already has a goalkeeper in mind to fill the emergency stand-in role. Jens is available as he is currently retired and has been coaching for us recently.

His mentality and desire to win would be crucial to have around the dressing room and training ground and I wouldn't mind betting Arsene is wondering whether he can call him in?

Fingers crossed! I think he'd be a great addition to have back for the rest of the season. He might be a bit mad, but he's not a dancer.

WG.

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Will Rambo get a shot?

With the well-publicised re-occurance of Cesc's hammy injury an opportunity presents itself within the Arsenal midifeld. Rambo has said in the media that he is rearing to get back into the first team.

Saturday is an ideal opportunity in the absense of Cesc for him to get back. Prior to his injury he was deputising for Cesc and doing a fantastic job. His penetrative runs and movement is only one weapon in his armoury, his distribution another.

I really rate him, I think he's got great awareness and is a good competitor with a desire to match Jacks. We need him. I think we need him tomorrow. ManYoo's midfield will be combative and his skills are in demand. Lets not upset him by not giving him a start. He's a player we need to keep happy.

WG.

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Fuelling the fires of desire

No, not a cheesily written short story from Mills and Boon and that ilk, its sounding like the boys are up for it!

Defeats like Barcelona can go two ways; you can be up, more determined than ever and use that disappointment to fight harder than ever before. Or, you can shrink like a violet and let it suffocate you.

In the past, our young team certainly suffered from the latter, but from the noises we've been hearing its now the former that is indicative of the mood at London Colney today.

Johan Djourou has spoken of the shame of being Swiss following the performance of the Swiss referee and of his desire to get back to winning ways this weekend. Similar comments from Jack and Cesc seem to indicate an upbeat, determined squad.

We will face a determined ManYoo this weekend with lots to prove after their recent indifferent form and they will not want to lose to us.

Selfishly, I'd rather lose and let the boys concentrate fully on the league and leave the distraction of the FA Cup til next year.

However, since the opportunity presents itself we should take this olive branch for what it is. A chance to put down the marker against ManYoo and say 'we're better than you, we know it and we're gonna prove it'.

Ultimately, I think we have enough in the tank to do this. We'll just have to see what personnel Arsene picks.

WG

No shame, but a whole lot of injustice

The day feels colder today than it did yesterday. I was bouncing yesterday, I could feel a good result coming though I kept my optimism largely to myself..I resisted a predo.

I couldn't predict that ridiculous decision to send of RvP. Noone could. I did fear for him after his needless yellow card earlier in the game, but I didn't think he'd get sent off for that. In my mind I could see him clattering the keeper or something but never for time wasting.

Replays since have proven that the opposition defender also didn't hear the whistle and contiued to try and close the angle on RvP.

That decision aside, I was a bit frustrated with some of our own rushed posession which far too swiftly returned the ball to Barca and put the pressure back on us. Its fair to say however, my optimism was still reasonably resolute and when the equaliser went in off a penetrative corner aimed at the head of Diaby which he incidentally mistimed but Busquets headed it perfectly - Good lad he is.

At 1-1 it was looking like it could go either way until that daft decision.

For now though. In the interests of sanity I think its best to move on. Barca were the better team, but perhaps there could have been an Inter Milan-esque shock in it had it stayed 11v11 but it didn't, so there wasn't. 'Nuff said.

Onwards warriors, lets use this injustice to fuel our desire for success on the home front.

WG

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RvP to start!! Abidal and Correia in defence for Barca

As expected, RvP has come through to start against Barca. I hope he's fit. We really don't need him getting crocked tonight.

An interesting selection from Guardiola in playing Busquets at centre-back with Abidal. However it does mean Mascherano is in midfield which will make it a tough game.

Fabregas, Diaby and Wilshire complete our central midfield tonight with Rosicky out on the right and Nasri on the left with the licence to interchange with Rosicky. Rosicky's understanding with Cesc, Nasri and Wilshire will be absolutely critical tonight and he's a player who is very experienced at this level. I hope he'll continue to prove doubters wrong.

As for Wilshire, its his chance to make old Guardiola realise that our "B" team boy is well up for showing up a certain partnership of Xavi and Iniesta...he will just need Diaby to work his socks off and keep onto possession, something that has escaped him so far in his return from injury.

I'm nervous and excited. Time for a beer.

COME ON YOU GOONERS!!

WG

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Arsenal 17/2 to beat Barca? Are you kidding me?!

I hopped on that faster than I could blink. I wouldn't normally shout about it but I got it on with Betfair.

If anyone else finds better odds post them in the comments...

We are more than capable of getting a result in the Camp Nou, they are without their first choice defensive pairing of Puyol and Pique, relying on the partnership of Abidal and Busquets to repel any Arsenal attacks.

If ever there was a time that we needed a pacy attack it would be tonight, with a rather untested defensive pairing to have a go at.

Still waiting on news on RvP. If he's not fit I'd quite like to see Chamakh start, I think he links up better than Bendtner. Lets hope for good news on Robin though, we're stronger with him than without.

WG.

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"We've got many players like him in our second team"

The war of words begin. Suspicions of gamesmanship and trickery by Arsene over the injuries to Cesc and RvP are being mooted in the media. The above quote is from Pep Guardiola regarding young Jack, though perhaps its worth mentioning that if Pep actually watched the game at the Emirates, Jack tore Iniesta and Xavi a new one. More than once too.

Arsene's response to the criticism's and mooted suggestions was simple, "The whole truth is what I have given you here. We'll see tomorrow morning. The medical team will assess him and I would like him to play. But I will only play him if he is 100 per cent fit. OK, I will consider 99.5."

"For me these are two problems," he said. "Cesc had a muscle problem. Robin has a ligament problem. There is more risk for a muscle problem. So it is just whether he feels he is fit to play. There is not the same risk of recurrence like there is with a muscular problem."

Personally, in preference to Bendtner I'd play RvP if we had to wheel him around the pitch. Thats not to say that I don't value Bendtner's input I just think RvP is sharper and he's got the ability to nick a goal more than Bendtner can Nik a goal...(see what I did there?)

I'm holding my breath until after lunch when we hear the results of the fitness tests etc..

Til later Gooners, COME ON LETS DO IT.

WG

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Belated, but not indiscreet

The Sunderland game was always one I wanted to look at but I wanted to wait until all of the weekend fixtures were complete. The bigger picture, after all is the one that matters the most.

It seems we have been lucky again doesn't it? We suffered against Sunderland with a decent team performance, decisions against us and we sneaked a point at the end. Looking at it full harshness turned on, whilst we were robbed of a goal and a penalty, we really should be putting teams like that under more pressure.

That said however, I couldn't bring myself to be angry, the indifferent first half performance whilst frustrating, I kind of expected knowing whats to happen tonight. Lets face it, noone wants to get injured for a game like this. It was encouraging to see Chamakh's performance, it was full of energy when he came on and he did make a difference, his header against the bar was frustrating, but his contribution was good and he was unfortunate to not be on the scoresheet from that header, a inch lower and it was in the bag.

On the game overall, Denilson and Diaby struggled again. Its a shame for Denilson, I feel he can definitely play football and he's a decent player, but he isn't a Premier League class central midfielder. Its not rare for me to make such sweeping statements, but I think he really struggles with the pace of the Prem. He's never been blessed with pace and his first instinct is never to look up, its always "Lay it off, move and look to receive again"...which is great in possession, pass and move football but invariably he's found facing our own goal and just passes it back to our defence or sideways and puts a colleague into trouble with a hospital ball.

Diaby is still suffering after his injury and is chasing match fitness. He's an enigma to me, He's got power, good feet, his movement is good but he's a bit of a crock. I don't know whether its because we're mistreating him or whether he's just unlucky but is it time to call time?

I'd love your feedback on it, everyone I talk to is mixed about him. We can all see his potential, but we can't keep him fit.

I will put up the preview to tonights game shortly.

WG

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Oriental fallout after kicking

Wednesday night was enjoyable wasn't it? It was good to see the boys enjoying themselves and getting a good result in the process.

What was a marked difference from THAT game was that there seemed to be a more aggressive, determined aura about the team. Nasri's frustration at fluffing a chance when we were 4:0 up was just one indicator of their desire to win convincingly.

I was pleased for Chamakh, him getting the scoreboard ticking over will be good for his confidence and we needed it. Rosicky, as tipped on here put in a great shift and those doom-mongers who have suggested he's past it and a 'waste of a player' should firmly be put in their place.

Did anyone else see that shot by Denilson? Unbelieveable!

Naturally the hat-trick for NB52 will further back up his belief that he's the worlds greatest and if he carries on that scoring form I'll not tell him any different.

Coming up soon the team news for Sunderland

WG

Finishing the job. Professional-like.

After the first game at the O's we were largely unfussed about the result. Rounds of "ahh it was a good day out and they deserve a go at the Emirates" and "We'll put it right at home so it doesn't matter" were hitting the blogosphere and I'll admit I subscribe to that train of thought too.

It does give us the opportunity to banish the negativity following the weekend's performance by playing a solid, professional game and getting the right result.

Almunia
Eboue	Miquel Squillaci			Gibbs
	Ramsey Denilson
Bendtner		Diaby		Arshavin
		Chamakh

The return of Rambo is significant for tonight. He's been playing reasonably regularly for Cardiff and his form is good and with Arsene's suggestion that he might play tonight I see it as an opportunity to rest Wilshire too. However, he could also be on the bench and Rosicky to start in his place, such is the competition for places...

Apologies for the sarcasm, it is generally beneath me..ok its not but the point is, we do have reasonably fit bodies to put in there and their quality is more than enough to win against a busy, robust Orient.

I'm also looking forward to Miquel being given another opportunity as he was not selected for the reserves against West Ham to keep him fit for this fixture. I think he's a great prospect and I don't think he'll disappoint.

I'm looking forward to the game and hopefully I'll be happy with the result. Now the question is, given the fact that the Verminator didn't play for the reserves, will Arsene risk him tonight?

Til next time Gooners!

WG

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If in doubt..

...kick it out. A simple adage, designed to instill a bit of instict in such situations. This is the last time I will say this but it was Koscielny's responsibility to clear the ball if he had already prepared himself to do so.

Safety first.

Birmingham hadn't been causing a threat from throw-ins. Booting it into touch wouldn't have hurt, or at least it seems unlikely.

Of course Sczcesny called, but, as has already happened this season, if the defender is able to clear safely without pressure from an opposition player then he should choose to do so. Koscielny had a clear opportunity to remove the danger and dallied when he heard the call. He should have put his foot through it and put it safe.

I am a big fan of Koscielny and I think this is simply a blip on what has been a great season for him this year. Sczcesny is a good young talent and I think he will be a great keeper. Lets not get carried away, we should have put the game to bed way before the 89th minute.

Onwards to the O's tomorrow night. Team news to follow.

WG

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